Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Appeal Letter: PART I: INTRODUCTION

This Appeal is being made under section 4.5 of the Queen’s University Academic Integrity Procedures, in the matter of Associate Dean, Jenn Stephenson’s decision (“Dr. Stephenson”), dated June 12, 2023, regarding Submission Number 10466 (Exhibit 1).

PART II: RELEVANT FACTS

On May 9, 2023, I submitted a request to waive the 1-year petition deadline relating to dropping PHYS 117 (FW21/22), due to a mental health condition that was undiagnosed and untreated. I have since been assessed and diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder, confirmed by medical specialists to have been present during (FW21/22) course.

PART III: ISSUES AND ARGUMENT

Dr. Stephenson’s decision was made solely on an absence of physical documentation identifying “extenuating circumstances”, which she states, “normally involve a significant physical or psychological event that is beyond a student’s control and debilitating to their academic performance”.

The following documentation supports the definition of “extenuating circumstances” as defined in section 1.1 of Queen’s University Academic Petitions and Appeals Regulations, Exhibit 2:

Report of Dr. Megan O’Connor, Psychologist, dated April 16, 2023, Exhibit 3;
Report of Dr. Megan O’Connor, Psychologist, received June 16, 2023, Exhibit 4; and,
Queen’s University, Verification of Accommodation, dated June 19, 2023, Exhibit 5.

These medical reports confirm my medical diagnosis and refer to my symptomatology associated with a diagnosed mental health condition, experienced during the time period of my enrollment in the PHYS 117 (FW21/22) course.

I submit that these medical records constitute the supporting documentation required in the definition of extenuating psychological circumstances, that were beyond my control and of which debilitated my academic performance prior to diagnosis.

PART IV: LAW

Grounds for Appeal

Section 3.4 (i) Grounds for Appeal under the Queen’s University Academic Petitions and Appeal Regulations (Exhibit 6), speaks to the decision-maker acting in accordance with procedural fairness. In order for the appeal process to be fair, the medical reports provided in this appeal constitute necessary documentation. This must be considered in the appeal decision.

Section 15 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms (Exhibit 7), speaks to equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination of mental disability. This must be considered in the appeal decision.

Canada’s Disability Inclusion Action Plan, Pillar 3 (Exhibit 8), speaks to persons with disabilities facing communication barriers, etc. This must be considered in the appeal decision.

Section 2 (d) of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, S.O. 2005, c.11, (Exhibit 9), defines disability to include a mental disorder. This must be considered in the appeal decision.

Section 8 of The Ontario Human Rights Commision (Exhibit 10), speaks to the duty to accommodate people with disabilities and the need for others to change their rules, procedures, policies and requirements to allow for equal access and equal opportunities. This must be considered in the appeal decision.

Section 9.3 of the Ontario Human Rights Commission (undue hardship) (Exhibit 11), speaks to the duty to accommodate the needs of a person with a disability to improve their productivity, efficiency or effectiveness, etc. This must be considered in the appeal decision.

Part III, section 6(a) of The Act (AODA) (Exhibit 12), speaks to accessibility standards and removal of barriers. This must be considered in the appeal decision.

PART V: RELIEF SOUGHT

I seek to overturn Dr. Stephenson’s decision and allow my request to waive the 1-year petition deadline related to dropping PHYS 117 (FW21/22).

Alternatively, I seek to receive a late course drop for PHYS 117 and Credit Standing (CR) in all courses with a grade of C or lower from F21-W22.

In the further alternative, I seek to exempt PHYS 117 from my academic transcript and obtain CR in the courses stated in (b).











Exhibits:
Associate Dean, Jenn Stephenson’s Decision Letter

1.1 of Queen’s University Academic Petitions and Appeals Regulations

Report of Dr. Megan O’Connor, Psychologist, dated April 16, 2023




Report of Dr. Megan O’Connor, Psychologist, received June 16, 2023














Queen’s University, Verification of Accommodation, dated June 19, 2023


Section 3.4 (i) Grounds for Appeal under the Queen’s University Academic Petitions and Appeal Regulations

Section 15 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms

Canada’s Disability Inclusion Action Plan, Pillar 3



Section 2 (d) of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, S.O. 2005, c.11


























The Ontario Human Rights Commision (Section 8)

Section 9.3 of the Ontario Human Rights Commission (undue hardship)


Part III, section 6(a) of The Act (AODA)

Appeal Letter: PART I: INTRODUCTION

This Appeal is being made under section 4.5 of the Queen’s University Academic Integrity Procedures, in the matter of Associate Dean, Jenn Stephenson’s decision (“Dr. Stephenson”), dated June 12, 2023, regarding Submission Number 10466 (Exhibit 1).

PART II: RELEVANT FACTS

On May 9, 2023, I submitted a request to waive the 1-year petition deadline relating to dropping PHYS 117 (FW21/22), due to a mental health condition that was undiagnosed and untreated. I have since been assessed and diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder, confirmed by medical specialists to have been present during (FW21/22) course.

PART III: ISSUES AND ARGUMENT

Dr. Stephenson’s decision was made solely on an absence of physical documentation identifying “extenuating circumstances”, which she states, “normally involve a significant physical or psychological event that is beyond a student’s control and debilitating to their academic performance”.

The following documentation supports the definition of “extenuating circumstances” as defined in section 1.1 of Queen’s University Academic Petitions and Appeals Regulations, Exhibit 2:

Report of Dr. Megan O’Connor, Psychologist, dated April 16, 2023, Exhibit 3;
Report of Dr. Megan O’Connor, Psychologist, received June 16, 2023, Exhibit 4; and,
Queen’s University, Verification of Accommodation, dated June 19, 2023, Exhibit 5.

These medical reports confirm my medical diagnosis and refer to my symptomatology associated with a diagnosed mental health condition, experienced during the time period of my enrollment in the PHYS 117 (FW21/22) course.

I submit that these medical records constitute the supporting documentation required in the definition of extenuating psychological circumstances, that were beyond my control and of which debilitated my academic performance prior to diagnosis.

PART IV: LAW

Grounds for Appeal

Section 3.4 (i) Grounds for Appeal under the Queen’s University Academic Petitions and Appeal Regulations (Exhibit 6), speaks to the decision-maker acting in accordance with procedural fairness. In order for the appeal process to be fair, the medical reports provided in this appeal constitute necessary documentation. This must be considered in the appeal decision.

Section 15 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms (Exhibit 7), speaks to equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination of mental disability. This must be considered in the appeal decision.

Canada’s Disability Inclusion Action Plan, Pillar 3 (Exhibit 8), speaks to persons with disabilities facing communication barriers, etc. This must be considered in the appeal decision.

Section 2 (d) of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, S.O. 2005, c.11, (Exhibit 9), defines disability to include a mental disorder. This must be considered in the appeal decision.

Section 8 of The Ontario Human Rights Commision (Exhibit 10), speaks to the duty to accommodate people with disabilities and the need for others to change their rules, procedures, policies and requirements to allow for equal access and equal opportunities. This must be considered in the appeal decision.

Section 9.3 of the Ontario Human Rights Commission (undue hardship) (Exhibit 11), speaks to the duty to accommodate the needs of a person with a disability to improve their productivity, efficiency or effectiveness, etc. This must be considered in the appeal decision.

Part III, section 6(a) of The Act (AODA) (Exhibit 12), speaks to accessibility standards and removal of barriers. This must be considered in the appeal decision.

PART V: RELIEF SOUGHT

I seek to overturn Dr. Stephenson’s decision and allow my request to waive the 1-year petition deadline related to dropping PHYS 117 (FW21/22).

Alternatively, I seek to receive a late course drop for PHYS 117 and Credit Standing (CR) in all courses with a grade of C or lower from F21-W22.

In the further alternative, I seek to exempt PHYS 117 from my academic transcript and obtain CR in the courses stated in (b).











Exhibits:
Associate Dean, Jenn Stephenson’s Decision Letter

1.1 of Queen’s University Academic Petitions and Appeals Regulations

Report of Dr. Megan O’Connor, Psychologist, dated April 16, 2023




Report of Dr. Megan O’Connor, Psychologist, received June 16, 2023














Queen’s University, Verification of Accommodation, dated June 19, 2023


Section 3.4 (i) Grounds for Appeal under the Queen’s University Academic Petitions and Appeal Regulations

Section 15 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms

Canada’s Disability Inclusion Action Plan, Pillar 3



Section 2 (d) of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, S.O. 2005, c.11


























The Ontario Human Rights Commision (Section 8)

Section 9.3 of the Ontario Human Rights Commission (undue hardship)


Part III, section 6(a) of The Act (AODA)

Appeal Letter: PART I: INTRODUCTION

This Appeal is being made under section 4.5 of the Queen’s University Academic Integrity Procedures, in the matter of Associate Dean, Jenn Stephenson’s decision (“Dr. Stephenson”), dated June 12, 2023, regarding Submission Number 10466 (Exhibit 1).

PART II: RELEVANT FACTS

On May 9, 2023, I submitted a request to waive the 1-year petition deadline relating to dropping PHYS 117 (FW21/22), due to a mental health condition that was undiagnosed and untreated. I have since been assessed and diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder, confirmed by medical specialists to have been present during (FW21/22) course.

PART III: ISSUES AND ARGUMENT

Dr. Stephenson’s decision was made solely on an absence of physical documentation identifying “extenuating circumstances”, which she states, “normally involve a significant physical or psychological event that is beyond a student’s control and debilitating to their academic performance”.

The following documentation supports the definition of “extenuating circumstances” as defined in section 1.1 of Queen’s University Academic Petitions and Appeals Regulations, Exhibit 2:

Report of Dr. Megan O’Connor, Psychologist, dated April 16, 2023, Exhibit 3;
Report of Dr. Megan O’Connor, Psychologist, received June 16, 2023, Exhibit 4; and,
Queen’s University, Verification of Accommodation, dated June 19, 2023, Exhibit 5.

These medical reports confirm my medical diagnosis and refer to my symptomatology associated with a diagnosed mental health condition, experienced during the time period of my enrollment in the PHYS 117 (FW21/22) course.

I submit that these medical records constitute the supporting documentation required in the definition of extenuating psychological circumstances, that were beyond my control and of which debilitated my academic performance prior to diagnosis.

PART IV: LAW

Grounds for Appeal

Section 3.4 (i) Grounds for Appeal under the Queen’s University Academic Petitions and Appeal Regulations (Exhibit 6), speaks to the decision-maker acting in accordance with procedural fairness. In order for the appeal process to be fair, the medical reports provided in this appeal constitute necessary documentation. This must be considered in the appeal decision.

Section 15 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms (Exhibit 7), speaks to equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination of mental disability. This must be considered in the appeal decision.

Canada’s Disability Inclusion Action Plan, Pillar 3 (Exhibit 8), speaks to persons with disabilities facing communication barriers, etc. This must be considered in the appeal decision.

Section 2 (d) of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, S.O. 2005, c.11, (Exhibit 9), defines disability to include a mental disorder. This must be considered in the appeal decision.

Section 8 of The Ontario Human Rights Commision (Exhibit 10), speaks to the duty to accommodate people with disabilities and the need for others to change their rules, procedures, policies and requirements to allow for equal access and equal opportunities. This must be considered in the appeal decision.

Section 9.3 of the Ontario Human Rights Commission (undue hardship) (Exhibit 11), speaks to the duty to accommodate the needs of a person with a disability to improve their productivity, efficiency or effectiveness, etc. This must be considered in the appeal decision.

Part III, section 6(a) of The Act (AODA) (Exhibit 12), speaks to accessibility standards and removal of barriers. This must be considered in the appeal decision.

PART V: RELIEF SOUGHT

I seek to overturn Dr. Stephenson’s decision and allow my request to waive the 1-year petition deadline related to dropping PHYS 117 (FW21/22).

Alternatively, I seek to receive a late course drop for PHYS 117 and Credit Standing (CR) in all courses with a grade of C or lower from F21-W22.

In the further alternative, I seek to exempt PHYS 117 from my academic transcript and obtain CR in the courses stated in (b).











Exhibits:
Associate Dean, Jenn Stephenson’s Decision Letter

1.1 of Queen’s University Academic Petitions and Appeals Regulations

Report of Dr. Megan O’Connor, Psychologist, dated April 16, 2023




Report of Dr. Megan O’Connor, Psychologist, received June 16, 2023














Queen’s University, Verification of Accommodation, dated June 19, 2023


Section 3.4 (i) Grounds for Appeal under the Queen’s University Academic Petitions and Appeal Regulations

Section 15 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms

Canada’s Disability Inclusion Action Plan, Pillar 3



Section 2 (d) of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, S.O. 2005, c.11


























The Ontario Human Rights Commision (Section 8)

Section 9.3 of the Ontario Human Rights Commission (undue hardship)


Part III, section 6(a) of The Act (AODA)

Appeal Letter: PART I: INTRODUCTION

This Appeal is being made under section 4.5 of the Queen’s University Academic Integrity Procedures, in the matter of Associate Dean, Jenn Stephenson’s decision (“Dr. Stephenson”), dated June 12, 2023, regarding Submission Number 10466 (Exhibit 1).

PART II: RELEVANT FACTS

On May 9, 2023, I submitted a request to waive the 1-year petition deadline relating to dropping PHYS 117 (FW21/22), due to a mental health condition that was undiagnosed and untreated. I have since been assessed and diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder, confirmed by medical specialists to have been present during (FW21/22) course.

PART III: ISSUES AND ARGUMENT

Dr. Stephenson’s decision was made solely on an absence of physical documentation identifying “extenuating circumstances”, which she states, “normally involve a significant physical or psychological event that is beyond a student’s control and debilitating to their academic performance”.

The following documentation supports the definition of “extenuating circumstances” as defined in section 1.1 of Queen’s University Academic Petitions and Appeals Regulations, Exhibit 2:

Report of Dr. Megan O’Connor, Psychologist, dated April 16, 2023, Exhibit 3;
Report of Dr. Megan O’Connor, Psychologist, received June 16, 2023, Exhibit 4; and,
Queen’s University, Verification of Accommodation, dated June 19, 2023, Exhibit 5.

These medical reports confirm my medical diagnosis and refer to my symptomatology associated with a diagnosed mental health condition, experienced during the time period of my enrollment in the PHYS 117 (FW21/22) course.

I submit that these medical records constitute the supporting documentation required in the definition of extenuating psychological circumstances, that were beyond my control and of which debilitated my academic performance prior to diagnosis.

PART IV: LAW

Grounds for Appeal

Section 3.4 (i) Grounds for Appeal under the Queen’s University Academic Petitions and Appeal Regulations (Exhibit 6), speaks to the decision-maker acting in accordance with procedural fairness. In order for the appeal process to be fair, the medical reports provided in this appeal constitute necessary documentation. This must be considered in the appeal decision.

Section 15 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms (Exhibit 7), speaks to equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination of mental disability. This must be considered in the appeal decision.

Canada’s Disability Inclusion Action Plan, Pillar 3 (Exhibit 8), speaks to persons with disabilities facing communication barriers, etc. This must be considered in the appeal decision.

Section 2 (d) of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, S.O. 2005, c.11, (Exhibit 9), defines disability to include a mental disorder. This must be considered in the appeal decision.

Section 8 of The Ontario Human Rights Commision (Exhibit 10), speaks to the duty to accommodate people with disabilities and the need for others to change their rules, procedures, policies and requirements to allow for equal access and equal opportunities. This must be considered in the appeal decision.

Section 9.3 of the Ontario Human Rights Commission (undue hardship) (Exhibit 11), speaks to the duty to accommodate the needs of a person with a disability to improve their productivity, efficiency or effectiveness, etc. This must be considered in the appeal decision.

Part III, section 6(a) of The Act (AODA) (Exhibit 12), speaks to accessibility standards and removal of barriers. This must be considered in the appeal decision.

PART V: RELIEF SOUGHT

I seek to overturn Dr. Stephenson’s decision and allow my request to waive the 1-year petition deadline related to dropping PHYS 117 (FW21/22).

Alternatively, I seek to receive a late course drop for PHYS 117 and Credit Standing (CR) in all courses with a grade of C or lower from F21-W22.

In the further alternative, I seek to exempt PHYS 117 from my academic transcript and obtain CR in the courses stated in (b).











Exhibits:
Associate Dean, Jenn Stephenson’s Decision Letter

1.1 of Queen’s University Academic Petitions and Appeals Regulations

Report of Dr. Megan O’Connor, Psychologist, dated April 16, 2023




Report of Dr. Megan O’Connor, Psychologist, received June 16, 2023














Queen’s University, Verification of Accommodation, dated June 19, 2023


Section 3.4 (i) Grounds for Appeal under the Queen’s University Academic Petitions and Appeal Regulations

Section 15 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms

Canada’s Disability Inclusion Action Plan, Pillar 3



Section 2 (d) of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, S.O. 2005, c.11


























The Ontario Human Rights Commision (Section 8)

Section 9.3 of the Ontario Human Rights Commission (undue hardship)


Part III, section 6(a) of The Act (AODA)